64 cm Tri Bike

First, to answer your question....NO, nothing I have EVER seen.  The largest out there (unless it's a custom job or a small/unknown company I have yet to run across) is a 61 cm.

The good news is, you are supposed to get a couple cm smaller frame for a tri bike than a road bike.  That's how I can fit on a 61 at 6'8" and 36" inseam (I would need a 63 or 64cm road bike)

ALSO, be aware that not all 61 cm bikes are equal!  One may fit you just fine and another one won't.  It has to do with top tube length more than seat tube length.  The bike sizes are based on seat tube length and are pretty much useless.

The best thing to do is get a proper fit from a bike shop.  Other alternatives are free on-line fitting programs.  You put in your measurements and it will provide a good guess at the proper bike frame to start your search (but you should still get fit later on). 

Do a web search for Zinn cylces and competitive cyclist.  The both have fitting programs.

Good luck.

I would doubt that any local bike shops would stock such an extreme size.  But it would still be good to talk to them to see if any of their lines actually offer 64cm frames from the factory.  If so, maybe they you could negotiate getting one for you on approval to see how if fits before buying.  Never hurts to ask.

Just how tall are you?  I remember reading that 6' 11" Bill Walton rode a custom 70cm frame.

Mark

Try www.leaderbikestore.com - tri frames up to 63cm.

Shane

I checked out the leaderbikesstore.com.  They, in fact, do have TT frames up to 63cm.  But they also bring up my point as well.  Notice the top tub length of 575mm.  You can get the same size (574) on a 61cm Cervelo at the same seat tube angle.  So basically, the 63 and 61 are the same size!

The seat tube size does not matter nearly as much.  You can make up for a shorter seat tube with an extra long seat post.  But the top tube can't be adjusted at all and that's what's important.  You don't want to be too strecthed out or to "crunched" in the cockpit when in aero.  You can make some small adjustments with stem length, but that soon starts impacting control.

Here is a quote for Competitive Cyclist (sales of high end bikes):

No genre of bikes encompasses a wider variety of designs than what you'll find in multisport. Some frames utilize substantial fairing-like seat tube extensions (Cervelo), some incorporate sloping geometry that dramatically shortens the seat tube (Kuota), and some bear a strong resemblance to the traditional double-diamond configuration of a road bike (Kestrel). It's all-but-impossible to issue blanket recommendations on seat tube length in multisport since the overall design and use of the seat tube varies so greatly between brands.

Beyond this, the secret truth of bike geometry is that no one dimension is more over-rated than seat tube length. We're fixated on it because it's the measurement we reference in naming the size of our bikes. But the truth is this: Regardless of seat tube length, you move your seatpost upward or downward to optimize your leg extension. The relationship of your saddle to the ground isn't dictated by the length of your seat tube. If you're dead-set on getting an instant approximation of what frame size suits you best, focus on the top tube length instead.

Just to let you know, I rode a Motobecane 61cm.  The top tube was a little short and my local bike shop (LBS) would have like to see me in something a tad bigger (when I had a proffesional bike fit done), but found the bike I was riding ok with a 15mm stem adjustment and moving the seat back a little.  Like I said, I'm 6'8" 230lbs.

My next bike will be a cervelo because they run a little longer in the top tube if the seat in the rear position.  But I may save up for a Guru Chrono, which is custom built.....

Good luck!

Stems generally range from 90 to 130mm, giving you about 4cm or adjustment. As long as you're talking about a tri bike with a relatively steep seat angle, and not a road bike where you're jamming the seat as far forward as you can get it, a long stem shouldn't affect handling appreciably.

I've got nothing to add except I'm so glad I'm not a freak-of-nature like y'all are

...and to think I spent years hating being so short

JeepFleeb - 2008-03-26 8:56 AM Send a PM to kproudfoot.  He's a good 6'15" and just built up a tri bike.  He'll point you in the right direction.

Isn't that like 7' 3"? 

Mark

JeepFleeb - 2008-03-26 11:13 PM

RedCorvette - 2008-03-26 8:48 PM

JeepFleeb - 2008-03-26 8:56 AM Send a PM to kproudfoot.  He's a good 6'15" and just built up a tri bike.  He'll point you in the right direction.

Isn't that like 7' 3"? 

Mark

Actually, I'm not sure how tall he is.  I just know that I'm 6'2" and he's taller than me (6'5" or 6'7" ).

Didn't want to short change him with a guess so I aimed high.

Here is a big bike though.